I started last October and am getting into things now,I read here and elswhere that people recommend writing from early as possible. My question is what approach others have used for this, currently I try tyo write as often as possible, ususlly this has involved breaking the background material for my subject down into small sub headings and writing notes (with references included where applicable) on each of these topics. Would I be better working through the great pile of papers I have and writing individually on each paper or is the method I am currently using one that others have used with success?
Any thoughts would be gratefully received :-)
Thanks
Max

I wrote essays, so 4k words on topic X - which summed up the literature, any gaps and what research needed to be done in the field, then same with topic y etc.

I thought it was a bit of a waste of time when I was doing it, but now I have really good summaries of what each section of the literature is talking about. I won't use a lot of it, but it helps to summarise it in my proper lit review. E.g. I've written 7k words on one topic and will probably only put 500 words in my thesis - but it means I have a grasp of the whole area and know the argument I want to make with those 500 words.

I started at the same time as you, Maxipat. I started out like you, writing about particular topics - it seemed to make more sense than writing about individual papers as I think it's by putting together different ideas and different examples of studies that I develop my own ideas and start to spot the gaps in the literature. But now I'm writing chapters, because my writing seemed to be naturally heading that way so my supervisors said I should just go with that. I've got draft Background, Literature Review and Methodology chapters, which I will then continue to rewrite and add to as I cover more in my reasearch (more because I'm used to working on very long documents from my life prior to the PhD than because that's necessarily a good method that would work for other people). I kind of wish I had done it more like Sneaks, though - I think having lots of short pieces might be easier to deal with if it comes to restructuring the writing I've done later, or if I end up shifting my focus.

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Maxipat - it really comes down to how are you taking notes of what you read and then forming some forms of essays around that. As Sneaks says, there will be HUGE redundancies, but it all is beneficial getting a better grasp of your area.

Sorry about the vagueness, but had to leave (grubbage!). If you are writing in any form, make sure that you title the word doc as this writing will not necessarily pay off now but maybe in a year or so down the line.

i'd strongly advice looking at some PhD thesisesisis from your library as soon as possible. It's the best (and only) way to understand exactly what writing a PhD thesis involves. I only saw a PhD thesis in my 3rd year and was shocked at just how much work needed to be done in terms of wider reading, structure, cross referencing e.t.c.

One more thing, it's best to have a look at around 5 thesisisisses. You'll notice that the structure and style of each one is different. For example, a laboratory based project may have a separate Methods chapter that is cross-referenced in subsequent chapters whereas, a computer simualtion study may not have a separate methods chapter. It's usually best to look at projects similar to yours.

good advice Sim on the thesisisiiseisesss.

ethos.bl.uk has a whole catelogue, where you can download most of them - you can then get subject specific ones.

This is a real help guys! I started as well last October and am starting to get into writing. I think once I get into a pattern it will get easier but the thought of it has been so off-putting! Breaking it down is the way to go.
I did some research on Ethos and bought in a couple of theses in my subject area. I could do this out of my studentship extras budget and it was also reassurance that no one had done something quite like mine (history).
Have found motivation this year really hard going and have been infused with doubts. Also a lot of pressure.....